10 Low
Carb Lunches

A
can of soda, two pieces of bread, a few slices of deli meat and cheese, a glob
of mayo or mustard, and a more air-than-potato bag of chips...

Aah, lunch used to be such an easy meal to
throw together, then throw down during that 30-minute break your boss calls a
lunch hour.

Just because you've come to your senses and
sought a healthier eating regimen doesn't mean you have to bag the brown-bag
lunch. Gobble up our top 10 lunch suggestions -- recommended by an Atkins
insider nonetheless -- and you'll be the most envied eater at the office or
factory.

If you've been losing weight and feeling
tons better thanks to the Atkins Nutritional Approach, you know burgers, fries,
pizzas and tacos are off limits. In fact, these fast food staples may well be
the reason you've gained pounds and lost energy.

You won't let the lunchtime doldrums get
you down once you fill up on good advice from Atkins Nutritionals food editor
Stephanie Nathanson.

Here are Stephanie's suggestions:

1. Chicken salad, tuna salad, turkey
salad! Enjoy on a bed of lettuce with other fresh veggies or as a sandwich
on low-carb bread.

3. Sandwiches! Stuff a low-carb
tortilla or low-carb bread with avocado slices, chicken, sprouts and other
veggies and protein.

4. Leftovers! Leftovers are great
for both lunch and dinner. If you make a roast chicken the night before, you
can use the meat as a base for either a salad or sandwich.

5. Ready-to-drink shakes or handy snack
bars! Supplement these Atkins products with a piece of cheese or fresh
vegetables. If you have moved beyond Induction, you can supplement with a some
berries or a handful of nuts as well.

7. Omelets! If you havent had eggs
for breakfast, an omelet loaded with meat and vegetables makes a good lunch.

8. Burger... no bun! You can make a
quick run for your favorite fast food restaurant. Order a bunless burger and a
side salad.

9. Miso soup and sashimi! If youre
going Japanese, fresh fish is an excellent selection. However, pass on the
sushi rolls made with rice.

10. Steak, lobster... dinner for
lunch! Treat yourself. A juicy steak or a chicken breast with a side of
veggies is more than suitable and a great way to beat lunchtime boredom.

Stephanie tells eDiets there are plenty of
healthy choices that fit nicely into your new low-carb lifestyle. Thanks to the
introduction of tasty low-carb breads and tortillas its gotten easier to
expand your lunch menu from tuna or chicken salad and celery sticks.

"There are more choices now, even at fast
food places," Stephanie tells eDiets. "Companies are starting to pay attention
to the way people want to eat. Theres a whole re-education going on."

Its important to note that even
with low-carb breads and tortillas you still have to watch your daily carb
count.

Whether its a meaty salad at your
favorite burger joint or a low-carb entree at your favorite bar & grill,
most restaurants are now catering to the individual who's scrapped his or her
low-fat, calorie-counting approach for an eating plan that'll fill you up
without filling you out.

Go ahead... order up that cheeseburger. But
simply skip the bun and fries. Or if you opt for chicken wings, make sure the
wings aren't breaded and that the sauce isn't sugar-rich. (Sugar=carbs.)
Balance either one with a side salad.

For you loyal Atkins follower who
cant do without your beloved bread, Stephanie urges you B.Y.O.B (bring
your own bread... low carb of course).

As most of you know by now, Atkins is not
an "eat all the meat you want" philosophy. One of the best resources for a
healthy, well-balanced lunch remains the salad bar.

Stephanie says it's a great way to control
what and how much you eat. You can fill up on chicken salad, tuna salad, turkey
salad and an array of fresh-cooked high-fiber vegetables. But before you hit
the bar, beware of salad dressings that can drown your diet in carbs.

Stephanie warns there are still some
eateries where youll be hard-pressed to find an appropriate low-carb
lunch. Between pastas and pizzas, the local Italian restaurant can be a
high-carb haven. Your best out is to settle for a salad or even a grilled
chicken breast with a side of veggies. Remember, those pound-packing pastas
arent going to win you any weight loss awards.

To avoid getting yourself in a pickle -- if
you're wondering, dill is OK, sweet is not -- plan your selections in advance.
If you keep the protein on hand, along with low-carb bread or tortillas,
youll be less likely to scramble when the lunch bell rings.

By keeping a small cooler packed with all
your staples, plus convenient snacks like Atkins Advantage Bars and Shakes,
youre always prepared for the worst case scenarios, like having no time
to grab a sit-down meal. Coupled with a piece of cheese, fruit or a handful of
nuts, your snacks will provide the boost you need. (Again, fruit and nuts are
no-nos until you are in Ongoing Weight Loss and beyond.)

"There are a lot of choices," Stephanie
says. "It requires a little thinking ahead. In the morning when you leave the
house think about where youll be at lunchtime and what your choices will
be."

Eating three meals a day is a must -- and
feel free to enjoy low-carb snacks between meals. Doing so maintains your blood
sugar levels and keeps you on an even keel so you dont suffer energy
dips.

Struggling for a simple lunch solution? Let
the nutritional professionals at eDiets lend a hand. You can have all your
meals, menus and shopping lists designed just for you. If theres a meal
suggestion you dont like, no problem. With the click of a few keys you
can swap it out!

By joining eDiets, youll also receive
24/7 peer and professional support. Youll be able to discuss your Atkins
experience on bulletin boards buzzing with other determined dieters just like
yourself.

Author Sheri Strykowski is a freelance
journalist who specializes in health, fitness and lifestyle. Her articles have
appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Lerner newspapers and National Safety
Council publications. She is also a content expert who has built over 40
websites for a Fortune 100 company.